NJ A1583

Bill

Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Introduced
01/13/2026

In Committee
01/13/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires each school district to incorporate instruction on water safety into the health education curriculum for students in grades K through 12 as part of the district's implementation of the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year. The instruction must provide information on: the proper use of flotation devices; how to become aware of water conditions; the danger of rip currents and how to respond if caught in one; and the importance of swimming in areas monitored by a lifeguard. Drownings are the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control. While New Jersey students participate in drills for fire and active shooter crises, they do not receive instruction on what to do if you are drowning or see someone drowning.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that beginning in the 2018-2019 school year, all New Jersey school districts must integrate water safety education into their health curriculum for students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, as part of the state's established learning standards for health and physical education. This instruction will cover crucial topics such as the correct use of flotation devices, understanding water conditions, recognizing the dangers of rip currents and knowing how to react if caught in one, and emphasizing the safety benefits of swimming in areas supervised by lifeguards, aiming to address a gap in safety preparedness given that drowning is a leading cause of accidental death.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (11)

Sean Kean (R)*, Linda Carter (D), John DiMaio (R), Aura Dunn (R), Dawn Fantasia (R), Vicky Flynn (R), Michael Inganamort (R), Ellen Park (D), Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D), Gerry Scharfenberger (R), Bill Spearman (D),

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1583

(3 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1583
BillText	https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1583_I1.HTM

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
A648	Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.	Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee	Carry Over
S679	Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee	Carry Over
S786	Requires school districts to provide instruction on water safety as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.	Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee	Same As

Bill > A1583

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (11)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary